| general
|
| description |
The second-largest reptile
in Africa. It is extremely hardy in captivity when properly
maintained. Although it has a very aggressive temperament,
it can be tamed with patience and frequent handling. |
| distribution |
Most of Africa; mainly
in the Northeastern regions, except the Northwest |
| adult
size |
5' - 6' ; individuals
get to 7' |
| life
span |
10 - 15 years |
| housing |
| natural
habitats |
Terrestrial; usually in
the locality of ponds, streams or rivers |
| cage |
A simple and easy-to-clean
cage is the best thing, specially for adults. It should
be large enough but does not need to be high because they
do not climb much. (e.g. Wooden
Terrarium, Glass
Terrarium) |
| substrate |
wood shavings, barks (e.g.
Repti Bark, Coconut
Bark), gravel, sand (e.g. Repti
Sand, Calci-Sand),
compressed paper granules (e.g. Good
Mews) |
| activity
period |
 Daytime (diurnal);
12
- 14 hours each day with direct natural sunlight or UV
lamp (e.g. ReptiSun 5.0,
UV Heat Bulb) |
| temperature |
30 - 32 ¢XC -- basking
spot (e.g. Basking
Spot Lamp)
27 - 28 ¢XC -- cooler area (e.g. Daylight
Blue Bulb)
22 - 26 ¢XC -- at night (e.g. Nightlight
Red Bulb, Infrared
Heat Lamp, Ceramic
Heat Emitter) |
| humidity |
mid to low |
| hiding
place |
Essential, since it seems
to need its privacy during sleeping or stressed.
Possibllites include caves (e.g. Habba
Hut, Heat Cave), etc |
| water
bowl |
a large water bowl or
pool is needed for it to soak in and drink. also it almost
always excrete in the water. |
| diet |
| diet |
Carnivorous (meat-eating);
Hatchlings should be fed on insects.
Adults can be fed on rodents and low-fat meat, occasionally
cooked eggs and high quality canned reptile, dog or cat
food. |
| how
often to feed? |
Every day for hatchlings;
3 - 5 times a week for juveniles;
1 - 2 times a week for adults |
| notes |
Do not ever try to move
your hands close to it when it is eating since monitors
are usually aggressive feeders.
Food items should be no larger than the diameter of its
head. |
| reproduction |
| reproduction
|
Oviparous |
